HMC (The Heads' Conference)

What HMC (The Heads' Conference) does

HMC (The Heads' Conference) is a UK-based nonprofit professional association founded in 1870, representing the heads of world-leading independent schools in the British Isles and internationally. With over 300 member schools in the British Isles and 75+ international members, HMC serves a community of roughly 273,000 students annually and provides advocacy, peer networking, and collective representation for independent education.

The core product portfolio consists of (1) membership subscriptions across multiple tiers (British Isles, international, executive, fellows, affiliates, and associates); (2) HMC Professional Development (HMCPD), delivering 80 courses and conferences annually through the Arlo LMS and in-person venues, including accredited qualifications such as ISQAM and PLQ; (3) HMC Conferences, with flagship Spring and Autumn events; (4) HMC School Careers, a recruitment platform for member schools; and (5) the HMC Podcast and School Leaders' Directory supporting thought leadership and corporate partnerships. Additional offerings include scholarship programmes (HMC Projects, Bulkeley-Evans Fund) and the HMC Heads' Mentoring Scheme.

HMC generates revenue primarily through recurring membership fees and professional development course/conference attendance, with additional income from corporate partnerships and the careers platform. The organization is led by General Secretary Simon Hyde and operates as a standalone entity with no parent company, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity in the source data.

Name

HMC (The Heads' Conference)

Legal name

The Heads' Conference

Website

https://hmc.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HMC (The Heads' Conference) is a UK-based nonprofit association founded in 1870 that represents over 300 British Isles and 75+ international independent schools, providing membership services, professional development courses, conferences, and a recruitment platform to school heads.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: HMC generates revenue through membership fees from its member schools, which include various membership tiers such as full members, fellows, executive members, British Isles members, international members, affiliates, and associates.
2. Professional Development Courses and Conferences: Revenue is generated through 80 courses and conferences provided annually to members and non-members of HMC schools. Courses are delivered through an online platform (Arlo) and at conference venues.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HMC (The Heads' Conference) is a UK-based professional membership association for heads of independent schools, providing membership services, professional development courses and qualifications, annual conferences, a recruitment platform (HMC School Careers), and a corporate partnerships directory. It serves over 300 member schools in the British Isles and more than 75 international members, offering networking, advocacy, and continuing education for school leaders.

Product overview

HMC (The Heads' Conference) is an association of independent school leaders offering a portfolio of member services including professional development programmes, conferences, a recruitment platform (HMC School Careers), and networking resources. The core offerings consist of HMCPD providing 80 annual courses and qualifications for school leaders, HMC Conferences offering networking events, the HMC School Careers recruitment platform, and the School Leaders' Directory for corporate partnerships. The organization does not operate as a unified software platform but rather as a membership association providing educational and operational services to its member schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HMC School Careers An online job search and recruitment platform that enables HMC member schools to post vacancies and source candidates, supporting a candidate-first recruitment experience for education professionals.
• HMC Professional Development (HMCPD) A professional development programme delivering 80 courses and conferences annually for leaders and staff in HMC schools, including qualifications such as the Independent Schools' Qualification in Academic Management (ISQAM) and the HMC Pastoral Leadership Qualification (PLQ), also open to members of other independent school associations.
• HMC Conferences An annual programme of conferences including the HMC Autumn Conference and HMC Spring Conference, offering insights, networking opportunities, and professional development for member school leaders.
• HMC School Leaders' Directory A directory that connects corporate partners with school leaders within the HMC network, facilitating corporate partnerships and engagement with member schools.
• The HMC Podcast A podcast series featuring conversations offering insights and inspiration on topical educational issues from all around the world.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OX14 Learning PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix-school partnership between independent and state schools (Abingdon School, Fitzharrys, John Mason, Larkmead, Radley College, St Helen & St Katharine) working collaboratively on educational events, student leadership programmes, and mental health support across the OX14 postcode area.
• University of Strathclyde Engineering for DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for rebuilding schools in Nepal destroyed by natural disasters. HMC member schools participate in fundraising initiatives like the 'March for Nepal' sponsored walk, with funds supporting construction of disaster-resilient schools.
• Eton CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEton College offers free EtonX online courses to all UK state secondary schools and provides accommodation to NHS key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• HMC Member SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 300 member schools in the British Isles and 75+ international members collaborate through HMC on professional development, conferences, partnerships with state schools, and advocacy for independent education.
• State SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner100% of UK HMC schools are engaged in partnerships with state schools, supporting widening access, shared resources, and collaborative educational initiatives.
• Proof Social Bakehouse / Tap Social MovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise providing artisan baked goods, offering paid training and employment to people currently serving or recently released from prison sentences. Partnered with OX14 Learning Partnership InspirED event.
• Place2BeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's mental health charity that runs Children's Mental Health Week. HMC schools participate in the annual event focusing on themes like 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself'.
• Girls' Day School Trust (GDST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 23 schools and two academies across England and Wales. HMC member schools collaborate on professional development, resources sharing, and mental health initiatives like Children's Mental Health Week.
• One Carbon WorldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon footprint audit provider for South Hampstead High School, providing meaningful environmental impact targets and sustainability guidance.
• Energy SparksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy efficiency monitoring platform helping schools investigate and improve their energy usage patterns.
• Community Impact NepalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization collaborating with University of Strathclyde on rebuilding schools in Nepal using eco-friendly, interlocking earth bricks that are earthquake and flood resistant.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Independent Schools Association (ISA): ISA is a UK association of independent schools covering headmasters, bursars and governors. It is a direct peer offering overlapping membership services, professional development courses, and conferences to UK independent school leaders.
• Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS): AGBIS is a UK association supporting governors and governing bodies of independent schools. It is a direct peer in the same ecosystem, with formal collaboration with HMC on the joint Good Governance Programme and shared advocacy for the independent sector.
• Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS): IAPS is the UK membership association for heads of junior/preparatory independent schools. It is directly comparable as a peer membership body serving school leaders with conferences, training, and advocacy in the same independent school ecosystem as HMC.
• Independent Schools Council (ISC): ISC is the umbrella body for UK independent schools and associations including HMC, GSA, IAPS and BSA. It is directly comparable as a membership organisation coordinating head and school activity across the same UK independent school market that HMC serves.
• Boarding Schools' Association (BSA): BSA is a UK association for boarding schools, with significant overlap of member schools with HMC. It is comparable as a peer association serving UK independent school heads with training, conferences, and advocacy, including joint programmes such as the AGBIS/HMC Good Governance course.
• Girls' Schools Association (GSA): GSA is a UK membership association for heads of girls' independent schools, including a number of schools that are also HMC members. It is directly comparable in mission, audience (school heads), and service portfolio (professional development, conferences, advocacy).
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS): ECIS is a global membership organisation for international schools and their leaders. It is a direct peer for HMC's international membership tier, offering conferences, professional development, and accreditation services to heads worldwide.

Regional players

• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS): NAIS is the US membership association for independent schools, comparable as a peer membership body providing professional development, advocacy, and networking for heads in a different geography serving the same independent school category.
• Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA): AHISA is the Australian membership association for heads of independent schools, comparable as a regional peer offering the same type of professional development, conferences, and advocacy for school leaders in a different geography.

Emerging players

• SSAT (The Schools, Students and Teachers Network): SSAT is a UK education membership network focused on school improvement and leadership development across state and independent schools. It is comparable as an adjacent peer providing professional development, conferences, and networking for school leaders, with a wider sector remit than HMC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HMCSCHOOLS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-heads-conference
• Instagraminstagram.com/hmc_org

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HMC (The Heads' Conference)